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Sources say smugglers use note identification to give out the batches of cattle

With the arrest of Birbhum Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Anubrata Mondal, various aspects of cattle smuggling in West Bengal have come to the fore.

For instance, if 1,000 cows were smuggled from Murshidabad’s Raghunathgunj-Suti route, how would the customers know which is their batch?

For this, sources said, smugglers had devised a way.

The ‘note method’.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Sources said smugglers used note identification to give out the batches of cattle.

One group was given the responsibility of taking out cash from bank with a specific denomination, say Rs 20, Rs 100 and so on. The agent carrying the cattle with the wad, of say Rs 100, used to convey the number on the currency note to the customer.

The Customs and Border Security Force (BSF) officers also used to get a huge amount of money from the smugglers, said sources, adding that Raghunathgunj and Suti police stations in the area are also on the CBI’s radar. The system was mastered by Enamul Haque. After Haque’s arrest, the scope of cattle smuggling in the area reduced considerably, said sources.

THE ROUTES

Sources said cattle was brought from western parts of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Bihar.

Areas such as Bankura, Puruliya, Birbhum and Murshidabad districts were key. Cattle which entered from the western part of Bengal travelled through Birbhum, with Rampurhat as the point of entry into Murshidabad. The cattle from upper Ganga part of Bihar entered through Islampur-Raiganj and reached Raghunathgunj and Suti. Cattle also used to travel through Islampur to Assam.

Cattle from the southern states of India entered through Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram to reach North 24 Parganas.

Locals said the cattle was smuggled through their farm lands, destroying the crops. If the farmers protested, they were threatened with Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases.

Sources said most of the stakeholders were players in this system, which is why nobody questioned them.

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On September 1, the Trinamool Congress government will organise a big thanksgiving rally for UNESCO, and chief minister Mamata Banerjee will participate

The festival of Durga Puja is always a big deal in West Bengal. This time it is getting bigger.

While the festivities officially begin on October 1, the celebrations in the state will start on September 1 as the Trinamool Congress government will organise a big thanksgiving rally for UNESCO which has given a heritage tag to the festival.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee herself will walk in that rally, News18 has learnt. UNESCO representatives have also been invited to the programme.

On August 22, the chief minister will hold a meeting with the police, administration, and puja committees of Kolkata on the preparations. She will also, for the first time, virtually speak to the puja committees in various districts.

On Tuesday, state chief secretary HK Dwivedi instructed all senior police officers that administrative officials will gather the puja organisers in one place for the meeting.

Durga Puja has not been celebrated in a grand way in Bengal for the last two years because of restrictions put in place to combat the Covid pandemic. Since protocols have been eased this time, the administration is planning a mega celebration.

Durga Puja is held in over 20,000 places in West Bengal. Each year, the state government provides donations to the puja organising clubs and plans to do that this year as well.

Artists and sculptors in Kolkata’s Kumartuli area where the idols are prepared are gearing up as this year they have received more orders compared to the previous two.

The state government is also getting ready for the big Bisarjan event that takes place after the Puja is over when the idols are immersed in waterbodies, as there was a lull in the last two years.

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“Which rule did I violate? Why did they not do social media evaluation before they hired me?”, asked the former professor who claims her images were uploaded before joining the university.

A former assistant professor at Xavier’s University, Kolkata who was allegedly sacked for posting pictures in a swimsuit on her personal Instagram account lives in fear even months after the incident. She is no longer on social media platforms and has been jobless for months. She also claims that the incident has taken a toll on her entire family. She is fighting a legal battle with the university which has filed a defamation case of Rs 99 crore against her.

The assistant professor was allegedly asked to quit her job after the father of a student complained that his son was looking at her ‘vulgar’ photographs.

The teacher claims that the pictures were uploaded as stories – a feature that makes photos disappear after 24 hours. She claims that she does not know how the images got leaked. “Someone must have taken a screenshot and circulated the images,” claims the teacher adding that she tried to explain this to university officials who did not believe her. She also claims that the images were uploaded before she joined the university as a professor. “They should have found out how the student got access to that photo, instead, they took steps against me,” the former professor said.

The administration should have found out how the student got access to my private photos, instead, they took steps against me, claims the former professor allegedly sacked for uploading pictures in swim suit.

She was sacked in October 2021, however, fearing for her wellbeing she is still not ready to disclose her name or location to the public. Speaking exclusively to News18 on condition of anonymity, the former assistant professor said that her pictures were uploaded before she joined the university. “I joined this University in August. I had uploaded photos in a swimsuit before joining university which is legally not wrong.”

After the complaint from parents, the university formed a committee and investigated the matter. “I was told to be present in front of a committee set up by the University. They showed me my photos, they had already taken print-outs of my photos without my permission. They asked me whether these were my pictures and if I was aware how these images could affect students?,” she recalled.

“They intimated me from October 7. I was not given any time to respond. On October 8th I had a one-on-one interaction with the VC. He threatened me that he will file an FIR against me. I had to put down my papers,” said the teacher.

“They did witch hunt. They did not give me the minutes of the meeting. They did not follow Vishakha guidelines. When I sent them a legal letter seeking clarifications. They asked for an unconditional apology and slapped a defamation case worth Rs 99 crore.”

“Which rule did I violate? Why did they not do social media evaluation before they hired me?”

The former assistant professor also claims that she does not have any idea who was the father-son duo who complained against her. The university authorities were constantly safeguarding them, she claimed. “In this University students are customers so they will safeguard them.”

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“TMC Believed in Those Who Betrayed Party”

“Opposition can say anything it wants but we knew nothing as to what Partha Chatterjee or Anubrata Mondal was doing. The party would have taken steps then”

“Remember J Jayalalitha? She always returned to power. Indians are so poor, they do not react to corruption allegations”

“This was a blot on us and we have to recover. We stay with the people, work with the people”

—

Two important leaders of the Trinamool Congress, Partha Chatterjee and Anubrata Mandal, were arrested over the past fortnight. Chatterjee was arrested by the ED in connection with the Bengal SSC recruitment case while Mandal was nabbed by the CBI in a cow smuggling case. Both were considered close to chief minister Mamata Banerjee but their arrest has led to the party losing face in front of the opposition.

News18 spoke to veteran TMC MP Saugata Roy, who said the party had put its faith in leaders who eventually betrayed it. He was apologetic, but said this will not have an effect on results of panchayat polls or 2024 general elections. He emphasised on the fact that a survey conducted by the TMC showed that the BJP will not get more than five seats in Bengal in 2024.

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The Trinamool Congress has said it would take steps if West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee is proven guilty in the court of law in the alleged teacher recruitment scam

More than half a day after the arrest of Partha Chatterjee in the alleged teacher recruitment scam, the Trinamool Congress spelled out its stand on the controversy and said it would take steps if the West Bengal minister is proven guilty in the court of law.

Chatterjee was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday morning after a marathon questioning session of 26 hours.

The CBI, as directed by the Calcutta High Court, is looking into the alleged irregularities committed in the recruitment of Group-C and D staff as well as teachers in government-sponsored and aided schools on recommendations of the West Bengal School Service Commission. The ED is tracking the money trail in the scam.

The latter had on Friday carried out simultaneous raids at the houses of around a dozen people, including two ministers, in connection with its investigation into the teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal and seized around Rs 20 crore in cash from the premises of Chatterjee’s aide Arpita Mukherjee.

Ending the party’s silence on the developments, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: “We have got the ED version… money has been recovered. We are clearly saying the TMC has no relation with this money. The person from whose residence this has been recovered is not from the TMC. This is in court now. We have seen central agency investigations take huge time. We also want that the investigation should take place at a fast pace.”

TMC minister Firhad Hakim, meanwhile, floated the conspiracy theory that the raids would not have been carried out had Chatterjee joined the BJP. “If Partha Chatterjee had gone to BJP washing machine, then this would not have happened. There are people against whom there is proof, but because they changed parties, nothing has been done,” he said.

The TMC also lashed out at the Congress, saying it speaks up only when Sonia Gandhi is summoned by the agency.

Political experts say the TMC has clearly adopted the strategy of distancing itself from the controversy while at the same time floating the conspiracy theory of political vendetta. With the seizure of cash during ED raids, the party has changed tacks since the arrests of Madan Mitra and Sudip Banerjee when it had taken to the streets.

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Trinamool’s decision has already brought in criticism from the Left and Congress

Mamata Banerjee’s party Trinamool Congress decided on Thursday to abstain from voting in the vice presidential election, in which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate is Jagdeep Dhankhar, the governor of West Bengal. The polls will be held on August 6, with Congress veteran Margaret Alva the challenger.

When Mamata did not send her representative for an opposition meeting to pick the VP candidate, there was a clear indication that the TMC could go on a different path on the matter. Opposition parties met twice, Margaret Alva filed her nomination, but there were no comments from Mamata and neither did anyone from her party attend the event.

Senior Trinamool leaders only said earlier that Mamata Banerjee had called a meeting on July 21 where she would discuss the issue and declare the party’s stand.

So why has the TMC decided to abstain?

Party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said during a press briefing at the West Bengal chief minister’s residence, “Our consent was not taken before nominating the VP candidate. Mamata Banerjee, in consultation with all MPs (each of them spoke on the matter), has decided that the TMC will not support NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar. 85 per cent of MPs who attended today’s meeting said that the way the opposition decided its candidate without consulting the TMC, we will abstain from voting for the VP candidate. We were not consulted.”

Sources said Mamata was very keen on building up opposition unity keeping in view the presidential election but the Congress was reluctant. So the TMC wanted to show that it was not inconsistent like the Congress, they added.

They added that Mamata asked every party MP what the stand should be. She and the lawmakers pointed out how the TMC was informed only 15 minutes before the meeting was called. Moreover, towards the end of the presidential poll meeting, Sharad Pawar did not allow her to speak, they said. The TMC leaders said that their party can’t be taken for granted and the feeling was that opposition unity had somehow only become the responsibility of Trinamool.

The TMC did not send a representative to the opposition meeting for the VP election also because the Bengal governor becoming the Vice President is technically a matter of pride.

The TMC wants to establish its own identity as a credible challenger to the BJP and wants to take the Congress along but the grand old party’s derelict state is demoralising for the entire opposition, said Trinamool insiders.

Mamata Banerjee has set her target for Delhi and for that she needs a coordinated opposition and, TMC sources say, she will work towards that.

“Mamata has become a dalal (broker) of the BJP. By abstaining from voting, TMC is helping Dhankar as candidate? This pact has taken place in Darjeeling where on one side Himanta Biswa Sarma was present (who left flood and came to meet didi), Mamata was there on the another side and Dhankar was in between. So you can understand,” Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said.

Trinamool’s decision to abstain has already brought in criticism from the Left and Congress. “Everything was decided in the Darjeeling meeting so this is all drama,” said a CPI(M) leader.

Bengal’s ruling party though feels this is the best move, said insiders.

Analysts also say that by abstaining, the TMC has again tried to show that it is an important opposition entity and will not play along if not given due respect.

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The Centre issued a five-point advisory to all states on VVIP security the day former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead.

All states were asked to give special emphasis to VVIP security and the letter dated July 8 says that keeping in view the Abe assassination, all governments should be on high alert in terms of protecting their respective VVIPs.

News18 has learnt that five points were mentioned in the letter, with the stress being on ensuring security of VVIPs from the rear side. Abe was shot from behind by a person who was then nabbed.

The Centre has also mentioned that strict crowd control measures in the proximity of the VVIPs should be ensured and the VVIP proximity area should be continuously monitored. It has also been mentioned that the entry point of the VVIP proximity area should be checked and rechecked and movement of people there should be monitored.

The government has also specified that security personnel should ensure that nobody should get into the inert and sterile zone of the VVIP area.

It has also been directed that people staying in VVIP proximity should also get thoroughly checked and security personnel with protectees will continue to be present and thoroughly check such persons.

The VVIP luggage too will be checked, especially for any chance of use of any deceptive weapon, the letter says. Abe was killed with a homemade firearm.

Most importantly, it has been directed that rear side protection should get more emphasis. Experts say that most of the concentration goes towards front side movement and that’s why at times security in the rear area of the protected person is neglected.

When the VVIP sits on stage, one security person must keep an eye on everybody from behind, especially in rallies, the Centre has stressed.

The new directions also clearly say that security personnel in the inner periphery of VVIPs should keep a vigil at 360 degrees.

It has also been asked that a contingent drill should take place before a VVIP visit and the contingent team should be on high alert.

If something happens, a plan should be ready on how the VVIP should be kept safe and taken to hospital, the Centre has said.

Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister of Japan was assassinated on July 8 while speaking at a political event outside Yamato-Saidaiji Station in Nara City of Japan. He was shot from behind at close range by a man with a homemade firearm. Abe was transported by medical helicopter to Nara Medical University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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Assam shares a long border with Bangladesh in areas around Dhubri river, there is no fencing in some places

Despite tough laws, arrests, and encounters against cattle smuggling in Assam, the menace seems to have continued even during the recent floods in the state that left lakhs of people displaced.

Assam police arrested Samsul Haque, known to be a key agent of cow smuggling, three days back. Sources say that police received information suggesting that the floods turned out to be favourable for the smugglers.

With Eid coming up in a few weeks, the demand for cows in neighbouring Bangladesh has increased. Assam shares a long border with Bangladesh in areas around Dhubri river, there is no fencing in some places. The situation is similar in South Salmara Mankachar district.

A tweet by Assam police said that cattle smuggling took place through the Brahmaputra river.

“Recent vigorous action by SSM Police against cattle smuggling in the Brahmaputra river under Sukchar PS of South Salmara Mankachar district.@assampolice @DGPAssamPolice @gpsinghips,” the tweet said.

How does cattle smuggling take place in floods?

Firstly, cows are tied up to banana trunks, which can float in water. The head portion of cows are kept on top. A minimum of 100 cows are smuggled every day, say sources in Dhubri.

A local officer of the region told News18, “All these cows have mark on them, at times number is written on them too. Here, Brahmaputra and Gadhadar rivers are spread widely. Flood water, river water all have merged and in this situation, if earlier 300 cattle were smuggled, now that number has doubled.”

The Assam police and BSF are monitoring the situation and a regular vigil is maintained. Special DGP law and order GP Singh told News 18, “The Assam Police and BSF are monitoring the situation. Regular watch is being kept. Arrests happen regularly.”

Local officers who are monitoring this say, “We intercept them, we get information from our sources and nab them. We are very strict on this.”

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The Trinamool Congress MP refused to budge from her stand and called the controversy the “false sentiment of BJP and its trolls”

For Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, controversies are not new. The firebrand leader, who often hits the headlines for her bold stand on various issues as well as fiery speeches in Parliament, is now at the center of yet another controversy after her remarks on Goddess Kali being a “meat-eating, liquor-accepting deity” triggered a political storm.

However, Moitra refused to budge from her stand and called the controversy the “false sentiment of BJP and its trolls”. In an exclusive interview with News18, she also cleared the air on her party distancing itself from her view.

Edited excerpts:

What do you feel about the controversy around your comment?

My statement was one of fact and based on experience of how Maa Kali is venerated by her devotees and what she represents to me. I don’t see any controversy in this whatsoever.

The controversy is the false sentiment of the BJP and its trolls who want to distract from their agenda to divide the citizens of this country using religion as a tool. They want to impose their monolithic idea of Hinduism on every Hindu, where they will decide who is a Hindu and who isn’t and how our gods and goddesses are to be worshipped.

What’s your stand now?

My stand is very clear. I am a ‘Shakti’ worshipper and a devotee of Maa Kali. I will stand by my statement that to me, she is accepting of meat and alcohol. ‘Manghso Bhog’ and ‘Karon’ is something that is intrinsic to her worship.

I will not tiptoe around religion just because everyone is scared to take on the BJP’s narrative of a homogenous faith. I am a proud Bengali, a proud Indian and I will defend this till I die.

Do you feel bad that your party did not endorse your view?

I am a foot-soldier and ardent supporter and admirer of my leader Mamata Banerjee and the party she leads. This is what motivates me and keeps me happy.

People from other parties as well as those like Taslima Nasreen have supported you. How do you see that?

My statements were factual about what Maa Kali means to me. To me, religion is personal and it’s of no relevance to my personal belief what others say either in support or against it. My faith cannot be shaken.

BJP is comparing you with Nupur Sharma and they are lodging FIRs against you. What’s your take on it?

What Nupur Sharma said was in order to try and humiliate members of another religion and denigrate Prophet Mohammed. My statement on the other hand conveyed my personal belief as a Hindu, as a worshipper of ‘Shakti’ and an ardent devotee of Maa Kali. What I said was in celebration of the goddess and what she means to me and to convey how she is worshipped by me and, I believe, by countless other devotees.

If the BJP is filing FIRs, I challenge the complainants and the BJP to also file affidavits that Maa Kali is not worshipped by offering ‘Karon’ or ‘Mangshor Bhog’.

Let [Madhya Pradesh CM] Shivraj Chouhan say on affidavit that 200 kilometres from Bhopal in Ujjain (where FIR is lodged), alcohol is not offered at the Kali temple Shakti Peeth. Let Assam BJP say Maa is not worshipped with meat and alcohol in Kamakhya. Tell Tripura’s BJP government to take back their pending appeal in SC against the order prohibiting animal sacrifice in Sundari Temple. Let BJP’s LoP in Bengal assembly bring a resolution saying Hindu sentiments are hurt in Tarapith when Maa is worshipped with meat and alcohol. Let them do all these things.

I have had enough of this nonsense from the BJP and I will stand up to their hypocrisy and defend my faith. I will see then in every police station and every court in India. Jai Maa Tara!

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